Working Shoe for Young Exec

[x3nogear]

Hi guys noob here who is looking to buy some loakes 1880 shoes. Anybody knows where is a good place/time to buy them? Read that it can be had for 300 sgd but its way more in robinsons or online. Appreciate the help!

 

[BallGag]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you mind sharing which retailer you bought from?

Maybe i should get the Carmina cordovan wholecut or ST.C adelaide instead.

Enzo Bonafe seamless wholecut. Go go go

 

[thundermarch]

Dear friends,
On a more positive note, I intend to do 2 MTOs with Skoak for 2 Enzo Bonafe models that I currently have in mind.
The deal is this, Enzo Bonafe's normal upcharge for a single MTO is 15% of base model price. To avoid this upcharge, only a minimum of THREE interests are needed. This is excellent compared to the SIX that are normally needed for most GMTOs.
I am asking local guys first because if the deliveries can be combined to a single address we can enjoy savings of 300SEK on shipping. Since only 2 pairs would be sufficient to hit the 8000SEK minimum for free shipping.
The 2 models I have in mind are both boots. One is a jodhpur, the other is a chelsea. The price of both should be 4640SEK (each, of course) compared to 5340SEK with the GMTO upcharge. Converted to SGD it would be approximately $780 or so. Half now, half on completion (estimated 3months usually). I do own stuff from Bonafe and I feel they make great shoes, and handwelted stuff at that price, with that quality, I feel, is a good deal.
Here are my proposed MTOs:

1)
Design - Jodhpur boot (shown in top pic)
Last - 946 Last (shown in top pic)
Uppers - Cola Llama (shown in bottom pic)
Sole - Single dainite
Welt - Handwelt

2)
Design - Chelsea boot
Last - 946 Last as well
Uppers - Dark brown museum calf
Sole - Single leather (or I will try asking if Enzo can do double tapering to single leather soles at waist)
Welt - handwelt
The picture shows the boot pretty much as I want it. Though it's most probably in a different last.

If any of you guys are interested just drop me a PM.

 

[thundermarch]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you mind sharing which retailer you bought from?

Maybe i should get the Carmina cordovan wholecut or ST.C adelaide instead.

I bought from afpos. Though I might like to add that it's probably not the retailer's fault that that the shoes look like ass.
The fact that the shoes can pass off as "satisfactory" by even the makers themselves, shows what kind of quality they deem to be "good".
I posted the same pictures on SF and there were very polarised opinions on how shoes in that price range should look like. Most of those who said they were acceptable were very big players whose regular shoes were EGs and G&Gs, and they rationalised that hey, AS is less than half the price of EGs and G&Gs, so it's acceptable they look like ballsac. My counter-argument is this, my worst pair of Carminas (that are cheaper than AS) look better. And their direct competitor in that price range; Crockett's, are FAR FAR FAR superior.
My advice, if you are going to dump $600 odd on a pair of shoes, go for Crocketts.
Seriously, fxxk AS. The choice is extremely obvious.

 

[darthsid11111]

God bless Topys

Herring Shoes actually advises against topys:
" Avoid unsuitable additions to either sole or heel, such as stick-on soles, as these can affect the balance, comfort and life of your shoes."

Is it really just better to get them?

Sent from the exploded Death Star using GAGT

 

[likehotbutter]

Herring Shoes actually advises against topys:
" Avoid unsuitable additions to either sole or heel, such as stick-on soles, as these can affect the balance, comfort and life of your shoes."

Is it really just better to get them?

Well from the shoe coy pov, less Topies = more resoles = more revenue right?

I myself Topied the majority of my shoes after I almost slipped on wet flooring. Now I stride on wet tarmac (which can seriously chew up leather) without a care also.

Yes, the nice (but not so pretty after awhile) leather sole gets covered up which is a pity but the added sole life is a big bonus imo, seeing how its so difficult and costly to get a resole done in our region. Heel blocks on the other hand are easier to replace locally.

Perhaps I may leave a shoe untouched should the day come where I am willing to spend on a high level pair just reserved for special occasions, like MTO/Bespoke G&G etc.

I think Nick V from B Nelson writes a pretty good piece with regards to Topys here.
http://blog.styleforum.net/to-guard-or-not-nick-v-weighs-in/

But yea, wear your shoes for a couple of months before having them done up, so that the shoe and sole has sufficient time to stretch/flex/mold to the characteristics of your feet and gait.

 

[darthsid11111]

Well from the shoe coy pov, less Topies = more resoles = more revenue right?

I myself Topied the majority of my shoes after I almost slipped on wet flooring. Now I stride on wet tarmac (which can seriously chew up leather) without a care also.

Yes, the nice (but not so pretty after awhile) leather sole gets covered up which is a pity but the added sole life is a big bonus imo, seeing how its so difficult and costly to get a resole done in our region. Heel blocks on the other hand are easier to replace locally.

Perhaps I may leave a shoe untouched should the day come where I am willing to spend on a high level pair just reserved for special occasions, like MTO/Bespoke G&G etc.

I think Nick V from B Nelson writes a pretty good piece with regards to Topys here.
http://blog.styleforum.net/to-guard-or-not-nick-v-weighs-in/

But yea, wear your shoes for a couple of months before having them done up, so that the shoe and sole has sufficient time to stretch/flex/mold to the characteristics of your feet and gait.

Thanks for the insight! I was actually a little conflicted because my 6 weeks old shoes' soles are getting in pretty bad shape.

Seems like I need to visit the cobbler this weekend..

Sent from the exploded Death Star using GAGT

 

[lirahs]

Well from the shoe coy pov, less Topies = more resoles = more revenue right?

I myself Topied the majority of my shoes after I almost slipped on wet flooring. Now I stride on wet tarmac (which can seriously chew up leather) without a care also.

Yes, the nice (but not so pretty after awhile) leather sole gets covered up which is a pity but the added sole life is a big bonus imo, seeing how its so difficult and costly to get a resole done in our region. Heel blocks on the other hand are easier to replace locally.

Perhaps I may leave a shoe untouched should the day come where I am willing to spend on a high level pair just reserved for special occasions, like MTO/Bespoke G&G etc.

I think Nick V from B Nelson writes a pretty good piece with regards to Topys here.
http://blog.styleforum.net/to-guard-or-not-nick-v-weighs-in/

But yea, wear your shoes for a couple of months before having them done up, so that the shoe and sole has sufficient time to stretch/flex/mold to the characteristics of your feet and gait.

This matter also correlates to an individual's lifestyle, nature of work and climate. In which Singapore is a warm, humid country, adding rubber pieces MAY lead to the deterioration of the soles quicker as our feet perspire more due to the restricted and limited soles' breathability. But really, this boils down to one's cognizance of the importance of shoes' rotation, inserting shoe trees and proper shoe care maintenance.

Majority of my shoes are being vibram-ed, with the exception of shoes with rubber soles of course. Personally, I find this to be cost-effective and practical rather than resoling. More often that not, resoling a pair of shoes can amount to at least 1/3 of its original purchase price.

On the same note, I usually wear a pair of shoes till you observe a certain deterioration process (this observation is subjective) before adding vibram pieces. This is to adhere the shape of your feet to the last so that the added vibram pieces accommodate ideally and not make the shoes less flexible. Some may claim that the added rubber pieces throw the shoes off balance but that is only if the added rubber pieces are not affixed properly.

They say, "Prevention is better than cure."

But hey, it's just my two cents' worth.

 

[d3n]

d3n your eye got stamp har
it says here
Crafted of fine Italian calfskin with leather quarter linings and cushioned insoles for comfort.
Bondwelt construction provides a lightweight feel.
Combination leather and rubber sole for durability

ermm bondwelt construction could be just a fancy name here

i did google for bondwelt and it all points to cemented/glued... not the usual goodyear welt

 

[d3n]

question here regarding topy the leather soles.

i have 1 loake L1 black shoes and 1 meermin monk shoe (coming tonight!), both goodyear welt...

thinking should i go for topy? any recommendation for cobbler to do a nice topy?

i understand that there is someone here in SG that does resoling for goodyear welt shoes... but cost $180 which is pretty ex

or should i try do one shoe first?

 

[darthsid11111]

You're still asking wether to topy after the previous two posts?

Sent from the exploded Death Star using GAGT

 

[d3n]

You're still asking wether to topy after the previous two posts?

Sent from the exploded Death Star using GAGT

lol i know there is a huge argument lah

anyway, any recommendation where to topy?

 

[urbanturban]

I never topy-ed my goodyear welted shoes.
I even slipped and fell on a stupid bridge in China.
I also had one pair fully soaked when running back to office during a heavy downpour. Luckily it is a pair which is lower priced and have a bit of wear (i use it on multiple days when i travel).

Yet i still opt to keep my shoes un-topyed.

Whilst resoling is $180 or more, it is essentially replacing half of a shoe.
Topy costs a third of the $180, yet it wears out pretty fast as well.

Not worth it to topy in my opinion.

 

[d3n]

I never topy-ed my goodyear welted shoes.
I even slipped and fell on a stupid bridge in China.
I also had one pair fully soaked when running back to office during a heavy downpour. Luckily it is a pair which is lower priced and have a bit of wear (i use it on multiple days when i travel).

Yet i still opt to keep my shoes un-topyed.

Whilst resoling is $180 or more, it is essentially replacing half of a shoe.
Topy costs a third of the $180, yet it wears out pretty fast as well.

Not worth it to topy in my opinion.

is it very slippery on wet surface?

cos my meermin cos me $230+ and loake L1 is like $200...

so like not worth to resole since i might as well buy a new pair

 

[d3n]

Hi guys noob here who is looking to buy some loakes 1880 shoes. Anybody knows where is a good place/time to buy them? Read that it can be had for 300 sgd but its way more in robinsons or online. Appreciate the help!

online u can try:

http://www.pediwear.co.uk/loake/1880/
http://www.robinsonsshoes.com/mens-shoes/brand/loake.html?cat=50

pediwear have sales sometimes.

 

[dark_aLLeY]

lol i know there is a huge argument lah

anyway, any recommendation where to topy?

Kips and kwik at Bishan Junction 8 topy for $35 per pair.

I did mine at Orchard ION, $50 per pair.

 

[patryn33]

I choose to toppy and then add plastic tap. The taps gets worn off quick but I can replace them on my own. It cheap to buy them bulk say 50 or 100 taps for like usd$27.

 

[All in a Day]

I choose to toppy and then add plastic tap. The taps gets worn off quick but I can replace them on my own. It cheap to buy them bulk say 50 or 100 taps for like usd$27.

How do u afix the taps?

 

[All in a Day]

Hi guys noob here who is looking to buy some loakes 1880 shoes. Anybody knows where is a good place/time to buy them? Read that it can be had for 300 sgd but its way more in robinsons or online. Appreciate the help!

Check within 5-10 pages back of posts and contact that guy whom u read posted that Loak 1880 'can be had for sgd300'. cheers

 

[KTVFanatic]

Kips and kwik at Bishan Junction 8 topy for $35 per pair.

I did mine at Orchard ION, $50 per pair.

Both prices are for full soles?